Petition seeks removal of IMFL outlet

A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the authorities to remove an IMFL shop at Anna Nagar.

The petitioner, K. Balu, an advocate, submitted that the outlet on New Avadi Road was located within 50 metres of a temple in violation of the Tamil Nadu Liquor Retail Vending (in shops and bars) Rules 2003, causing inconvenience to devotees. The customers posed a nuisance to the public, particularly school children. The bar was being run at a disbanded fuel filling station with damaged asbestos sheet roofing. Thus, it was being run against prescribed norms and rules. Mr. Balu said he had made a representation to the authorities on February 6 seeking closure of the shop. But no action was taken.

On Tuesday, the First Bench comprising the Acting Chief Justice Satish K. Agnihotri and Justice K. Ravichandrabaabu, ordered notice returnable by two weeks.